Health centers maintain rates

Health centers maintain rates

JAKARTA (JP): Community health centers (Puskesmas) in the city
have announced that they will not raise their tariffs so that
people, especially the poor, continue to get cheap medical
treatment, a city councilor said yesterday.

Councilor Nitra Arsyad of Commission E for welfare affairs
told The Jakarta Post that all 322 health centers in the city had
pledged to give the best service they could.

"In this troubled time a rise in medicine prices and health
fees in most private and public hospitals is inevitable. But the
people must have the option of getting reasonable health
treatment.

"Puskesmas may seem inferior compared to hospitals. But
actually, if their performance and services were improved more
people would visit them," he said.

After visiting several of the health centers in the city's
five mayoralties, Nitra said most catered for over-night
treatment.

"So people can be treated properly. They don't have to go to
the hospital if their illness is not too serious."

The average treatment fee at a community health center is Rp
3,000 per person, medicine included. (edt)